An atomic clock with 10^-18 instability

2013/05/24 by N. Hinkley, J. A. Sherman, N. B. Phillips +6 · 1 voice · 1 citation
Physics and Astronomy · #physics.atom-ph #physics.optics #quant-ph

paper · pdf · doi:10.1126/science.1240420

published as Science v. 341: 1215-1218, 2013

arxiv created 2013/05/24 · arxiv updated 2013/09/20

Abstract

Atomic clocks have been transformational in science and technology, leading to innovations such as global positioning, advanced communications, and tests of fundamental constant variation. Next-generation optical atomic clocks can extend the capability of these timekeepers, where researchers have long aspired toward measurement precision at 1 part in \bm10¹⁸. This milestone will enable a second revolution of new timing applications such as relativistic geodesy, enhanced Earth- and space-based navigation and telescopy, and new tests on physics beyond the Standard Model. Here, we describe the development and operation of two optical lattice clocks, both utilizing spin-polarized, ultracold atomic ytterbium. A measurement comparing these systems demonstrates an unprecedented atomic clock instability of \bm1.6× 10^-18 after only \bm7 hours of averaging.

Cited by

• Dick effect [wikipedia]

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